Meet Andrea Harris | Educator & Life Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process in working for myself definitely came from my internal “march to my own beat” spirit. I love to learn but am very free in my thinking and movements. My Dad was also instrumental in me making the decision to be an entrepreneur. He taught me early on, if you love what you do, then you won’t work a day in your life.

I love teaching, guiding and watching others reach their goals. Taking what my Dad taught me, I knew this was what I was put on this Earth to do. I was meant to operate in spaces of teaching and to be financially prosperous for my family.

Watching my Dad and others in my family start their own businesses, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I was definitely up for the challenge. and continue to be open for what the journey brings.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began my journey as an Educator, in the classroom teaching young minds in early education. I transitioned to elementary school teaching fourth and fifth grades. In that space, I was selected to be lead teacher of the team and for the Teacher Advisory Board for the school district. Being moved out of my comfort zone allowed me to learn so much about myself from a view of guiding, strategizing and executing. I have moved from head start to elementary to higher education.

Because education is not seen as prestigious as it once was, the journey has not been easy. Additionally, trying to reskill my experiences to flow from inside the classroom and online instruction to preparing others for college and career was a struggle. It was a struggle because people would always say, “you do everything.” That statement would make me feel insecure because there wasn’t a specialty. I couldn’t pinpoint the box I fit in.

I had to remember the reason I was even an entrepreneur was because I didn’t fit in a box. I refused to be placed in a box that was designed by a society that doesn’t truly understand individuality anyway. I hd to find my confidence and pinpoint my focus, not my title or job description. Now, when people ask me what I do, I respond, “I inform, I educate, I guide and I meet my crew at the finish line.”

My brand, Arubah Group, is one that encompasses spaces to connect people with knowledge. I provide valuable resources to my students or clients whether that be directly through me or by pairing them with a like spirit.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am not quite sure I could reveal all things me and my best friend would do. 🙂 However, our first stop would be Kat’s Cafe in Atlanta, GA so we could eat good, drink good and listen to some amazing live music. I love to be with Earth, so we would have to do a hike up Kennesaw Mountain and stroll the Atlanta Beltline. I would not do the city or my best friend justice if I didn’t take her to the Holiday Bar, The Taste of Atlanta Boutique and some of the best eateries in the city, one being Lickety Split Southern Kitchen. To end our trip, we would have to visit some historic places: MLK’s childhood home and King Center, Auburn Avenue Library and top off with a Trolley Tour.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been heavily supported by so many people but I have to shoutout five very important people in my life who have pushed me and supported me along the way: My parents, Crandall and Theresa Smith; my aunt, Katherine Armstrong; my husband, John Harris and my personal cheerleader, my daughter Johnna-Marie Harris

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andreatharris

Image Credits
Noah Johnson